Incidence of Upper Body Injuries in the Top 100 Female Players of the International Padel Federation Ranking

Padel has experienced rapid worldwide growth and increasing professionalization, yet scientific evidence on injuries in elite female players remains scarce. This study aimed to (i) determine the incidence of upper body injuries among the top 100 female players in the International Padel Federation ranking; (ii) examine associations between the injury incidence and racquet or player characteristics; (iii) describe the type and the anatomical location of injuries; and (iv) analyze seasonal injury distribution. An ex post facto design was used to evaluate upper body injuries requiring medical treatment or causing time-loss from training or competition. Of the 100 top-ranked players contacted, 80 consented to participate and completed an electronic survey. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were conducted. A total of 58 upper body injuries were reported, corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.81 injuries per 1000 hours of padel or physical training. Injury occurrence was not significantly associated with racquet characteristics or players’ attributes (p > 0.05). Tendinous injuries were most common (49.1%), followed by muscular injuries (33.3%) (p < 0.001). The elbow was the most frequently affected site (26.3%), followed by the shoulder (24.6%) and the wrist (24.6%). Injuries occurred most frequently in winter (45.6%) and spring (29.8%) (p < 0.001). Upper body injuries are common in elite female padel players and may compromise performance and career longevity. These findings may inform injury prevention strategies for coaches, physical trainers, physiotherapists, and athletes.